Talchuano

Hey Everyone,

I’ve been transferred to Talcahuano and called to serve as Zone Leader.  Talcahuano is a city on the coast of Chile (several hours from the mountain area where I’ve been serving).  My new companion will be Elder Lord from Utah, my first American companion!

Plaza De Armas for the Haitians 

I’ve had mixed feelings about this transfer.  Elder Gomez expressed a lot of concerns to me earlier in the week about how he would do if I happened to get transferred.  I seriously considered asking President Catala to reconsider and let me stay with Elder Gomez a little longer.  I also hate to leave Chillan (La Cordillera) right now with all our recent converts and investigators as well as so many other people that I’ve come to love.  However, I received good counsel that I needed to go where I’ve been asked to go and that is what I am going to do.

Knowing transfers were coming this week we worked hard to finish strong here in La Cordillera.  We worked with Super 8, Ivonne, Egidio, Sofia, and lots of others.  Earlier in the week we had been disappointed to learn that Ivonne no longer wanted to continue with us.  When we got a chance to meet with her, she explained that it was because of some concerns she had about things that had happened to her in the past.  We talked a lot with her about how the Gospel of Jesus Christ can and will help us with life’s struggles and pain.  The visit finished with her changing her mind and saying "Sigamos Adelante!" (let's keep going).  I was so happy to hear her say that. 

Hidden lagoon

On Tuesday, we planned on having lunch with a family that lives on the way to Coiheu in the middle of nowhere.  We had to take a bus to get there.  I wasn't really paying attention and we got off the bus way too early and found ourselves in the middle of nowhere.  There was just one road with large fields on both sides that went as far as the volcano in the distance.  We had to walk 35 minutes to get to Coiheu.  I loved every second though - it was incredible to see the volcano so close as well as a hidden lagoon and so much nature.  I was super stoked to see such a beautiful part of this country.  

Wednesday was a grind!  We worked super hard all day.  The coolest/craziest part of the day was when we went to a house of Haitians.  There are often up to 10 or so Haitians living in one small house because they can't afford their own place.  This group of Haitians never paid their electricity bill so there was no light in the home.  I did 3 interviews sitting on a hard, cold floor in the middle of a pitch black room with someone I could see only if I held my flip phone right up to their face.  It was worth it though because 2 of the guys are going to get baptized next week!  

Thursday we had a great activity at church called La Gran Fiesta de Chocolate!!  It was a huge success.  The best part, and what gives me so much joy, is that 4 of my converts were there participating and thriving with their new church "family".  What incredible joy and happiness comes from this work and from living this gospel.  (D&C 18:14-16).  

I'm leaving La Cordillera with 4 people getting baptized next week.  I will really miss all the people here but am looking forward to the opportunity to serve in Talcahuano.   

Thank you SO MUCH for all your love and support while I serve here in Chile.

Elder Vincent

Brisas Del Volcan

I bought socks!!

Saying goodbye to Elder Sharp from Hawaii